Set in Nevada in the 1860s, Bonanza chronicled the adventures of the Cartwright family who owned a large ranch called The Ponderosa. Ben Cartwright and his three sons, Adam, Hoss, and Joe fought for what was just and decent in a time where lawlessness was common.
The widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright had three sons, each by a different wife: the oldest was the urbane architect Adam Cartwright, who built the ranch house. The second was the warm and lovable giant Eric, better known by his nickname "Hoss." And the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe." They all lived and worked on The Ponderosa. Nearby Virginia City helped populate the episodes with guest starring characters from all over America.
Broadcast between September 1959 and January 1973. Filmed by the National Broadcasting Company at Paramount Studios.
"The Avenger"
Season 1
Episode 26
Ben and Adam are in the Virginia City jail waiting to be hanged. Last minute bids by Joe and Hoss to get them out are hindered by another rancher who wants to see Ben dead. A stranger arrives in town looking for his father's murderer, but is he a help or a hinderance in Joe and Hoss's quest to set their father and brother free?
Reviewer:
richgoup
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favoritefavorite -
January 26, 2012
Subject:
The Avenger (Bonanza)
Season 1, episode 26.
Original air date: 19 March 1960.
Cast: Pernell Roberts (Adam Cartwright), Dan Blocker (Eric `Hoss` Cartwright), Michael Landon (Joseph `Little Joe` Cartwright), Lorne Greene (Ben Cartwright), Vic Morrow (Lassiter), Jean Allison (Sally Byrnes), Richard Devon (Mr. Hawkins), James Anderson (Fred), Harry Swoger (Bert), Ian Wolfe (Ed Baxter), Nestor Paiva (Thornton), Robert Griffin (Sheriff Hansen), Eugene Martin (Jimmy), Bill Catching (Hoag), Robert Brubaker (Barney Arden), Bern Bassey (Hangman`s Assistant: uncredited), Bill Clark (Bill, Deputy Sheriff: uncredited) and Dan White(Zeke Jackson: uncredited).
Copyright has expired and is now in the public domain.
From IMDB.
Reviewer:
Donfield
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November 26, 2011
Subject:
A back door pilot
The Cartwrights take a backseat, as this episode served as an introductory pilot for a potential spin-off series starring Vic Morrow (several sources confirm this). Story is confined to Virginia City, with no scenes at the Ponderosa. Since the focus is on development of Morrow's character, action pieces are few, until a big shoot-out at the end. Familiar title theme is again replaced by something that sounds like Duane Eddy.
Reviewer:
human
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November 23, 2011
Subject:
Not a bad Bonanza, but what's the deal with the theme song?
This wasn't a bad episode, but it wasn't all that memorable, either. The way it began, I felt like I was coming into the second half of a two-parter. Seemed like I was missing a whole lot of back story. The way it ended, it almost felt like they were setting things up for a spin-off series. I did like the way the viewer was misdirected about Vic Morrow's character, setting him up at first to seem like the villain, then revealing him to be a good guy at the end.
But what was the deal with the lame western surf guitar music in place of the regular Bonanza theme? Guess it's still under copyright, even though the rest of the episode is in the public domain.
Reviewer:
Chez_When
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November 13, 2009
Subject:
Bronx Cowboy
Recorded this episode of Bonanza off one of those crappy nostalgia TV networks. This one was special because Vic Morrow is the "avenger." I've been a fan of Vic, since I was a kid. Here, he's about four years away from a starring role in the Combat TV series. He's playing a cowboy here, but can't hide the Bronx accent and the city swagger. The story is bland, but Vic is cool, so it's worth a look if you're a fan. There's one other Bonanza episode with Vic Morrow.